Behind the Headlines

Through the years, we’ve heard from more than a few Central Kentucky religious leaders and readers interested in faith issues that they’d like to see more local content in the Herald-Leader’s Faith and Values section. Well, we’ve heard your pleas — and hopefully you’ve noticed an uptick in the “local” part of Faith and Values.

Risa Brim Richardson, who edits Faith and Values, has made some changes in an effort to strengthen local content in the section, which focuses on faith and spirituality issues. “My goal is to make the section the area’s primary source of information about local congregations of all sizes and denominations,” Risa says. Here are some details on the changes in Faith and Values:

• We’ve lifted some of the previous restrictions on the Bulletin items, now called Faith Notes. Now, churches, synagogues, mosques and other groups can send us information about anything on their calendars, with the exception of regularly scheduled, weekly services.To make it easier to send items directly to the section staff, we have created a new email address, hlfaith@herald-leader.com. That is also where churches should send information about Vacation Bible Schools for the annual listing, to run on June 2.
• The section will continue to run religion stories with a national scope, including wire stories, but whenever possible will include information about local organizations or people to make the issues and trends more relevant to readers in Central Kentucky.
• Our goal is to have a local or localized centerpiece each week or at least three times a month.
• The section has introduced a new local guest column series. Area ministers, religious leaders and seminary students can submit columns on the issues and trends covered in Faith and Values centerpieces. In other cases, panelists may be asked to submit columns about events and issues covered in other news sections. Spirituality is an issue of great interest and importance in this part of the country, and Central Kentucky boasts some thoughtful and well-respected experts and spiritual leaders. This new guest column allows the Herald-Leader to tap that expertise and share a variety of viewpoints with readers.
  

While we’ve made some changes, popular Faith and Values features, such as columns by Paul Prather and Rich Copley, will continue.

To make story suggestions for Faith and Values or to register for the guest column series, email Faith and Values Editor Risa Brim Richardson. To submit items for Faith Notes, send email to hlfaith@herald-leader.com.

Peter Baniak
Metro Editor